It took a really long time to get to the mystery (nearly 25% of the way in).

If you’re looking for vivid descriptions of food, parties, and Paris in general you’ll definitely enjoy this book.

I wanted more action from Charlie and less conversations. The amount of characters who all spoke the same made it difficult to differentiate between them.

The mystery plot line was good; it just dragged on too long with irrelevant informaron shared either as a red herring or background knowledge.

This is the first entry in a planned series by Australian author Kristy Manning.

Reporter Charlie (Charlotte) James, seeking to start a new chapter of her life as she divorces her unfaithful Australian husband, lands a job as a reporter for the London Times in Paris. Eager to prove herself in a male dominated career, she's quickly immersed in reporting on the lives of some of Paris' rich and famous. In less than a week a murder occurs at a fancy party given by a wealthy expat British couple who live in a cottage on the estate of Versailles. Charlie is curious and tenacious and improbably manages to immediately insert herself in helping the chief inspector solve the case.

The Paris Mystery is a light, fast mystery with a look into 1938 Paris high society and fashion on the brink of WWII. I will look forward to future installments of Charlie's story - the premise is a good one - plucky, likeable young reporter turned sleuth at a momentous time in history, with the backdrop of one of my favorite cities. The pace of the plot strained credulity, the characters needed more development and her writing style could be tightened up, but the author did a great job of setting the scene and obviously did a lot of research. And that cover is fantastic! Overall it was an enjoyable read for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Vintage Anchor for the opportunity to read an advanced coy.

Paris, 1938. Charlie James arrives looking for a fresh start and what better place than Paris to get a second chance in life? But trouble is just around the corner!

From Amazon:
Charlie James is chasing her first big scoop as correspondent for British-based newspaper The Times, and she needs to prove to her boss that she can do this job as well, if not better, than her male counterparts. The best way to forge the necessary contacts quickly is to make well-connected British expats, Lord and Lady Ashworth, her business. Lady Eleanor knows everyone in Parisian high society, and at her sumptuously extravagant annual party, a Circus Ball, Charlie will meet them all.

On the summer solstice eve, the Circus Ball is in full swing, with the Parisian elites entranced by burlesque dancers, tightrope walkers, a jazz band . . . and a horrific murder. A wealthy but unscrupulous investor is dead, and the list of suspects is a veritable who's who of le haut monde. As Charlie tries to determine who the murderer is, she finds herself drawn into the magical parties, couture houses, and bohemian wine bars of the City of Lights. Soon secrets start to unravel, including some Charlie has a personal stake in keeping hidden.


I. LOVED. THIS. It was great fun and very fabulous. The author did an excellent job of transporting us to Paris in all of it's opulent glory. The mystery was solid. The main character is great. I look foward to further installments in this series.

Many thanks to Penguine Random House for the digital advanced reader copy in exchange for and honest review. The novel will be published this coming Tuesday, July 25, 203 and I highly recommned it.

historical-fiction, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, mystery, thriller, international-crime-and-mystery, international-tensions, occupied-France, romantic, fashion, intrigue, feminist, murder, murder-investigation, suspense, twisty, amateur-sleuth, unputdownable, new-series, first-in-series*****

An Aussie girl with ambitions to be a journalist heads off to Paris at the very beginning of WW2 with all the dangers she cannot foresee. The characters and the situations are very clearly depicted and the whole plot is very well done and drew me along until I finished it in near record time.
I requested and received an EARC from Penguin Random House/Vintage via NetGalley. Thank you!

Australian Author

Intriguing novel mixed in with the delicious sights and sounds of Paris and an intrepid reporter all make for a dazzling mystery, except for the boring title - The Paris Mystery. Charlie James finds her dream job with the Times in Paris. Her first story is an indepth intervivew with Lady Ashworth, one of the movers and shakers of Paris society. Invited to Lady Ashworth extravaganza Circus Ball, Charlie has high hopes for her career and the article until she finds a dead man in the bushes. He is a wealthy, but unscrupulous merchant and investor. Everyone is a suspect and Charlie finds herself caught between her journalism job and friendship. An excellent first in a series and I am looking for more.

The Paris Mystery Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow! I have never read a novel by Kirsten Manning before, but I can say this will not be my last read by her. I loved this historical fiction mystery. The setting was so descriptive, and exciting! I also absolutely loved the representation of a woman trying to prove herself in a ,then male dominated, profession. The characters were so well developed, and the plot had me reading this in one sitting. I can’t wait for this series to be continued!

Charlie has left her failed marriage behind in Australia and moved to Paris. It's 1938 and she's determined to make herself the best crime reporter in town. She gets a good start when a man is killed at the Circus Ball, which she's attended thanks to Lady Ashcroft, a wealthy British expat. Charlie links up with Inspector Bernard and we're off. It's an interesting take on a historical cozy - and it's got room to grow as a series. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, A good read and I'm look forward to more from Manning.

It’s 1938 and Charlie, short for Charlotte, has just landed her dream job as a reporter for The Times in Paris. (Her masculine byline may have something to do with that but who’s counting!) Charlie has just arrived as her marriage back in Australia is ending and she’s looking for a fresh start in the legendary city. Almost immediately she’s drawn in to the intrigues of high society and it’s not as glamorous as it seems. In fact, it’s dangerous and deadly. In the background Hitler is making noise and Europe is on edge, afraid of another war.

This is a fun, interesting whodunnit. Paris is a lovely setting and I find the ‘intrepid girl reporter’ trope entertaining. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the rest of the series.

This is a new series starting Charlie James. A sassy, head strong red headed news reporter from Australia, living in Paris.
Charlie and her boss George and his secretary Violate are all ver likable characters.
While covering a summer ball, a Murder takes place and Charlie’s on it. This was a refreshing mystery. It had me wrongly thinking about whom the murderer was until the end. I look forward to the second book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for a honest opinion. 3.5

This gave me all the Agatha Christie vibes! It is 1938 and Charlotte, (Charlie) James is a young, ambitious Australian journalist. She is given the opportunity of a lifetime to be a foreign correspondent for The Times, a British-based newspaper, in Paris. It comes at the prefect time, as she needs a fresh start, away from her crumbling marriage in Sydney. She needs a big story to prove herself, and she finds just that when a man is murdered at the Ashworth’s Circus Ball. The victim was a man who had many enemies, which means there is a long list of likely suspects. Charlie will stop at nothing to solve the crime, and get the story.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this e-arc.*

Charlie James is full of surprises. Hoping to start a new life she arrives in pre World War II Paris and is met by her boss, who expected Charlie, not Charlotte, an attractive, ambitious, and talented news reporter. Hoping to secure a position as the Paris Correspondent for the London Times she strives to prove herself worthy of the position, regardless of her sex. Though initially to get close to the politically “in crowd” she interviews the influential Lady Ashworth and gains an invitation to the Spring Ball Gala. Drama, murder, friendship, and relationships are woven into an intricate plot with several surprising twists. I am not sure that all the detail about Charlie’s ex husband added to this tale, but since this is the first of a series there may be relevance in future books. Charlie is a very likeable character and I am glad that this is the first of a series so I will enjoy more of her adventures. Since this first book takes place in 1938, the war is brewing so I suspect (and hope) that there may be some historical events included in subsequent episodes. This is the first book authored by Kirsty Manning that I have read. I hope to read some of her previous books and look forward to additional books in this series.
Thanks to Net Galley for providing an electronic prepublication copy of this book for me to review.

Set in Paris 1938 Charlie is a female trying to be a journalist for the British paper.
She is to cover a special event with important people when a murder is committed.Charlie tries to gather all the facts to solve the murder.
Intriguing story with good characters,suspense,danger,twists and mystery.Voluntarily reviewed.

On a rainy gray Sunday morning I whizzed through this story. It has everything--romance, mystery, haute couture, gourmet dining, international intrigue, women's rights. I was so fascinated I didn't realize that it had turned into a beautiful sunny afternoon.

1938, Paris, murder and secrets. What a way to start of book one of The Charlie James series.
Charlie is an Australian reporter making her own way in Paris. Little does she know what’s ahead. A fun, historical fiction with a female lead that’s a comparison to Shiela Grant Duff.
Looking forward to more in this series.

Pub Date: 07/25/2023

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I didn’t really like this one. It was more of a cozy mystery which is not my vibe. I didn’t really dare for this.

I really enjoyed this book! The timeline, the setting, all the characters, were vivid. Charlie especially was memorable, but the supporting characters were well-developed and I was hoping for a series!

My thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. This was my first read by the author, and I’ll definitely be looking for more. Such a delightful story.

A newspaper reporter attends a society ball where a murder has occurred and helps with the investigation of the murder.

The Paris Mystery was great! I liked Charlie James and her friend, Violet a lot. I found almost every character in this lively, descriptive and engaging novel likable. Key word here is almost…there are a few rather despicable fellows in The Paris Mystery, too.

In 1938 Charlotte James, a.k.a. Charlie James, left Sydney Australia and her marriage to take a job as a reporter for the Times in Paris. Unbeknownst to her soon to be boss, Charlie James is a woman. And, as such, she needs to prove she is better than any male reporter in the competitive field of Paris journalism.

A key component in her success is her ability to mingle with the upper-crust of society as well as being in the right place, at the right time, to get the scoop. Charlie clicked with Lady Ashworth, one of high society’s most beloved and sought after hostesses, which gave her immediate access to people she would not have easily met on her own.

Violet, the Times receptionist, most valued employee and sometime miracle worker, comes from an established English family who wants her to return to London to find a suitable husband. Violet, who loves design and Paris, becomes Charlie’s best friend and together they tackle society head-on.

Murder soon rears its ugly head, sending Charlie and Violet on a chase to find the killer. In the process, Charlie and Inspector Benoit Bernard share information and begin to trust each other in an effort to solve the crime(s).

As the story unfolds, we are treated to mouth-watering descriptions of Paris couture, elegant dining and extravagant, lavish dinner parties and gatherings. I was delighted to read in the Author’s Notes the events, and many of the main characters, were based on actual events and compilations of impressive women. That said, I could have done without the sex scenes - all of them. As far as I’m concerned they didn’t add anything to this book.

The Paris Mystery is chock full of twists and turns to the very end. I had absolutely no idea who the murderer was and I often figure this out before the end of a book. I was surprised when the murderer was unveiled and then surprised again when the next twist in this tale emerged towards the end.

I hope Kirsty Manning has the next Charlie James book in the works as I will be delighted to meet Inspector Bernard, Violet and the Times crew again soon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage Anchor for an advanced copy of The Paris Mystery in exchange for my honest review.

Charlotte "Charlie" James is an Australian news journalist who has landed her dream job. A reporter for The Times in Paris. Since Charlie is going through a rough patch in her life, namely a divorce this job came at the perfect time. Charlie tells herself that this new job will help her get over her pending divorce, and Paris will be a new beginning Once Charlie settles into her new city she finds herself meeting Lady Ashcroft. Charlie then finds herself attending Lady Ashcroft's Circus Ball where she is meeting many high ranking social friends of Mrs. Ashcroft's. The thing Charlie didn't intend on reporting on was that a very rich and connected patron. Charlie knows this is the story she has been waiting for and jumps in head first. Yet there are many people she must handle carefully and make sure she stays on Mrs. Ashcroft"s good side.

Once Charlie starts working with Inspecteur Bernard she knew she must remember to work with him not against him or she will never get the information she needs With the help of her good friend Violet who is popular in the Paris fashion circles. Charlies steps into the world of the rich and famous and attends Paris's biggest social events. While she is attending these events, Charlie will also be looking into who the killer is and what danger lurks around the corner for her friends and for herself.

Charlie's character was so well written. A young women who will be divorced is something you would never hear about in 1938. She also was a women with a career. A career that was usually held by men. So digging into this story of murder of the rich was very refreshing to read. I also loved the era of the 1930's, the fashion, big parties and old Paris. The secondary characters were also written very colorfully. Everything about this book was charming and appealing and I couldn't put it down.

Thank you Ms. Manning for a truly enjoyable book that I will recommend highly to all my mystery readers. Also NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the ARC copy. It was mentioned that this is the first in a series. I surly hope that down the road I will be able to read about the next Charlie James adventure. I feel she has many stories to tell.
.

Fresh off the boat from Australia and newly single, Charlotte 'Charlie' James hits the ground running in Paris as a new correspondent journalist for The Times. Slightly unrealistic at times, Charlie finds her footing quickly in society and a network to work with. The mystery was intriguing, even with a slightly predictable twist at the end. Was not disappointed and had a good time over all. Violet was the unsung hero of this story.
Seemed to drag on unnecessarily in parts and was a bit slow to start for me for a murder mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the eARC for an honest review.